00:00The truth is that previous governments have not adequately faced up to these challenges.
00:06Too often, political convenience has been prioritised over economic imperative.
00:13The decision to pursue a policy of austerity after the financial crisis
00:17dealt a hammer blow to our economy, gutting our public services
00:22and severing the flows of investment that would have put our country on a path to recovery.
00:27The years that followed were characterised by instability and indecision
00:33with crucial capital investment continually sacrificed
00:37and hard decisions put off again and again
00:41and then a rushed and ill-conceived Brexit that brought further disruption
00:46as businesses trying to trade were faced with extra costs and extra paperwork.
00:52All this meant that when the pandemic arrived
00:56our country was underprepared
00:59our public services weakened and our economy fragile.
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